Volumetric weight calculator
Compare actual weight with volumetric weight using the air freight 6000 divisor or the sea freight 1000 divisor, and see the chargeable weight.
TL;DR: Volumetric weight is L×W×H(cm)÷6000 for air but ÷5000 for courier/express. A 60×50×40 cm box is 20 kg by air but 24 kg by courier, a 20% billable-weight jump that catches people who quote on actual weight. The same box is 0.12 CBM, so at 1 CBM ≈ 167 kg the ÷6000 standard charges for 20 kg of space instead of the carton’s physical weight.
Formula
Volumetric weight = L (cm) × W (cm) × H (cm) ÷ 6000
Chargeable weight = max(actual weight, volumetric weight)
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Result
Air freight factors vary by carrier and route; some express services use 5000 instead of 6000. Confirm the divisor in your rate sheet before quoting.
How volumetric weight is calculated
Multiply the carton's length, width and height in centimetres to get the cubic-centimetre volume, then divide by the chargeable factor. The result is the volumetric weight in kilograms. Finally, compare that figure with the actual scale weight and use the higher value as the chargeable weight.
For air freight with the 6000 divisor, 1 CBM is treated as about 167 kg. For sea freight with the 1000 divisor, 1 CBM is treated as 1000 kg. Both are indicative and should be checked against the carrier's published rate basis.
Frequently asked questions
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight converts a shipment’s L×W×H volume into a notional kilogram figure, so a 60×50×40 cm carton becomes 20 kg under the air ÷6000 rule even if it weighs 8 kg. Carriers use it to charge fairly for light but bulky cargo that fills space without adding much physical weight.
Why does air freight divide by 6000?
The 6000 divisor is a common international air freight standard, and it prices 1 CBM as about 167 kg (1,000,000 ÷ 6000 ≈ 166.67 kg). Some carriers use 5000 for express freight, which lifts the same 1 CBM to 200 kg.
When is the sea freight 1000 divisor used?
The 1000 divisor is a comparison convention that treats 1 CBM as 1000 kg, which is 6× heavier than the air ÷6000 equivalent of 167 kg per CBM. For actual ocean LCL pricing, volume is usually quoted in CBM, so confirm the exact rate basis with your carrier.
How is chargeable weight calculated?
Chargeable weight is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, so a 10 kg parcel with 15 kg volumetric weight bills at 15 kg. The carrier always charges the greater of the two numbers.
Does express courier use a different factor?
Yes — express and parcel carriers often use ÷5000 instead of ÷6000, which turns a 60×50×40 cm carton from 20 kg into 24 kg, a 20% higher billable weight. Always confirm the divisor in the rate sheet.
Can volumetric weight ever be lower than actual weight?
Yes. Dense cargo can have a volumetric weight below its actual weight, in which case chargeable weight simply equals actual weight because the carrier takes the higher of the two.